Survival tips for the next generation to get started in life--by Stephen Hume

晚飯後，散步到圖書館，坐在舒適的書報間裡，閱讀各種報紙。 偶然在Vancouver Sun的首頁發現一篇文章，是專欄作家Stephen Hume所寫的”Survival tips for the next generation to get started in life”。 內容是Stephen首次離開父母到外地工作前，後母告訴他的生存之道(advised on survival tactics)。 仔細閱讀之後，的確相當有價值。 以下摘錄部份內容，供參考： Top of the list for useful tips was her ironclad rule for bank accounts. There’s only one — more money comes in than goes out, no matter what. (銀行戶頭，要進大於出) Pay yourself first. Always divert a small fixed amount right off the top of every paycheque into a savings account and forget you ever had it. It’s there for that day of disaster you never foresaw. (每月定額存款，以備不時之需) Credit cards are convenient, but the rates are not. (不要有卡債) Don’t mistake what you want for what you need. There’s a vast industry out there dedicated to persuading you to want what you don’t need and to need what you don’t want. (瞭解真正的”需要”是什麼) Used is useful. Today’s fashion is tomorrow’s trash for some with disposable income. the difference in performance between last year’s laptop and next month’s model is almost imperceptible; why pay a premium for what you won’t notice? (不要過度追求流行) Friends are made, not born. You have to make an effort to find them and when you do, you have to invest in nurturing the friendship — which, please remember, is not all about you, but about them. (多結交朋友)